Modesty Garment

ABSTRACT

An embodiment configured according to principles of the invention includes a band constructed of a material, wherein the band has a configuration and the material is sufficiently elastic so that the band conforms to, but does not shape a region of a body that extends from below the body&#39;s navel to below the body&#39;s hips.

REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATION

This Application incorporates by reference and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/147,770 filed on Jan. 28, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Low-cut or normal waist cut pants worn in conjunction with midriff t-shirts or shirts that stop at or near the waist pose a risk of undesired exposure of the wearer's undergarment or buttock cleavage when the wearer bends or moves. This can be an embarrassing or indecent experience that, prior to the invention, had no remedy other than selecting different clothing.

Many undergarments exist in the prior art. However, most are purposed at constraining or shaping the wearer's body. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,170, issued May 11, 1999, to N. Ganz for a Body Shaping Undergarment. An unfortunate consequence of squeezing the body, especially in the case of one that is not particularly lean, is that the unconstrained portion of the body expands beyond the constrained portion giving an unsightly appearance commonly referred to as a “muffin top.”

What is needed and not taught in the prior art is a modesty garment that protects against unwanted exposure without squeezing the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention overcomes the disadvantages noted above by providing a modesty garment that protects against unwanted exposure that otherwise may occur when wearing low-cut pants or high-cut shirts without squeezing the wearer.

To that end, an embodiment configured according to principles of the invention includes a band constructed of a material, wherein the band has a configuration and the material is sufficiently elastic so that the band conforms to, but does not shape a region of a body that extends from below the body's navel to below the body's hips.

The invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof, for the purposes described, which are inexpensive, dependable and effective in accomplishing intended purposes of the invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figures, throughout which similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a modesty garment configured according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is a modesty garment that protects against unwanted exposure without squeezing the wearer. Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a modesty garment 10 configured according to the principles of the invention includes a band 15 that encircles and fits on a wearer's hips (not shown), preferably under outer clothing, in particular low-rise pants and/or high-cut shirts (not shown). Band 15 is configured to prevent unwanted exposure that otherwise might occur when bending or moving in low-rise pants and/or high-cut shirts.

Preferably, band 15 is constructed of a material having strong, elastic, synthetic fibers, such as a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer, such as Spandex®, Lycra® or Elastance®. Preferably, the material has a denier of at least 160, a thickness of 1/32-inches, or dimensioning that promotes optimal performance of the invention as described herein.

While the preferred material stretches and resumes an original configuration following stretching, band 15 is tailored to provide “garment ease” or a relaxed stretch among each of the standard S, M, L and XL sizes. “Garment ease” or space beyond a body measurement generally varies depending on the intended purpose of the affected garment. As used in conjunction with the invention, the “garment ease” of band 15 provides sufficient elasticity so that, when combined with the pattern for providing the shape as described herein, garment 10 remains in a desired location without shaping the body. Thus, standard “body hugging,” not shaping, factoring of 5-10 percent is incorporated in each sized configuration of garment 10.

Preferably, band 15 is constructed as a one-piece cylindrical or tubular garment, thereby eliminating unsightly or irritating seams. However, garment 10 may be constructed by cutting and stitching one or more panels. As is conventional in the art, a seamed embodiment of the invention may incorporate folding or stitching to prevent the material from unraveling.

Band 15 has a first portion 25 that is configured to be disposed on or about the lower midriff region, and a second portion 40 that is configured to be disposed on or about the hips. First portion 25 extends from a waistline 30 to an opening 20. Preferably, portion 25 is outwardly angled or tapers outwardly from waistline 30 having a waist dimension 27 to a midriff dimension 33 in an amount ranging from 0-5°, with the preferred embodiment exhibiting a 3° taper.

Referring also to FIG. 2, second portion 40 extends from waistline 30 to an opening 35. Second portion 40 is contoured to approximate the anatomical shape of human hips. To that end, second portion defines a curve 5 having a radius 55. An upper section 45 of curve 5 curves outwardly to a widest portion of garment 10 and defines a hip dimension 47. A lower section 50 of curve 5 curves inwardly to a termination 85.

Radius 55 is determined so that, in consideration of a stability and thickness of the material employed to execute garment 10 expands as needed during wearing, yet defines a pocket 90 about the hips. Radius 55 is determined so that when worn, regardless reasonable body movements, garment 10 remains smooth, that is, free of rolls or bulges that otherwise might manifest due to uneven distribution of stress in garment 10 when worn.

Termination 85 is determined so that, taking into account a radius 37 or functionally appropriate profile (not shown) of opening 35, garment 10 fully covers the wearer's buttocks cleavage regardless of how much exposure a pair of pants may permit. Termination 85 and radius 37 or profile (not shown) also are configured so that garment 10, and in particular pocket 90, is anchored or remains in place on the body regardless reasonable body movements or when garment 10 is expanded, however not so much that garment 10 pinches or bunches.

Preferably, a width 70 of lower opening 35 ranges from 3-5% of hip dimension 47.

Preferably, garment 10 has an overall vertical dimension 65 that provides several inches above and below the belt line 80.

Another embodiment of a modesty garment configured according to the principles of the invention includes one or more adherent regions 60 for maintaining garment 10 in a desired location on the body. Preferably, an adherent region 60 includes silicon non slip dots or materials. Adherent region 60 eliminates need for straps, clips or other conventions for maintaining clothing in place.

The invention is intended to be seen if the wearer so chooses. Unlike traditional under and shaping garments, the configuration of the invention is more exaggerated to utilize the elasticity of the fabric to form a structural pocket so that garment 10 remains in position without overly squeezing or shaping a viewable area of the wearer.

The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described and depicted herein, rather only to the following claims. 

1. Garment comprising: a band constructed of a material; wherein said band has a configuration and said material has an elasticity so that said band conforms to, but does not constrain a region of a body that extends from below the body's navel to below the body's hips.
 2. Garment of claim 1, wherein the elasticity provides for accommodating, yet resuming said configuration following stretch occasioned by ordinary wear.
 3. Garment of claim 1, wherein said band is continuous.
 4. Garment of claim 1, wherein said band has an upper portion that tapers outwardly by 0-5 degrees.
 5. Garment of claim 1, further comprising non-slip material disposed on said band.
 6. Garment of claim 1, wherein said band has a lower portion with an opening that has a width that is 3-5% less than a hip measurement.
 7. Garment of claim 1, wherein said band has a lower portion that defines a radius configured to approximate an anatomical shape of human hips.
 8. Garment of claim 7, wherein: said lower portion has a dimension; and said dimension and said radius are configured so that said garment remains smooth when worn.
 9. Garment of claim 7, wherein: said lower portion has an opening that defines a profile; and one or more of said dimension, said radius, said profile are configured so that said garment covers an amount of the body's buttocks cleavage.
 10. Garment of claim 7, wherein: said lower portion has an opening that defines a profile; and one or more of said dimension, said radius, said profile are configured so that said garment remains in place on the body regardless of reasonable body movements
 11. Garment of claim 10, wherein said garment does not pinch or bunch. 